Bears shift focus to undrafted free agents

April 28, 2013|By Brad Biggs | Tribune Reporter

With rookie minicamp scheduled to begin May 10, the Chicago Bears are working to find some diamonds in the rough -- the deep rough.

The Tribune confirmed that Rutgers wide receiver Mark Harrison, who was one of two players staying in a hotel room at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis that was trashed, has signed a free-agent contract. The other occupant of the hotel room was Clemson wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Both players reportedly have denied involvement.

The Bears will sign undrafted free agents and then invite other players to rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. Harrison was on the Bears' list released Sunday of 10 players with whom they had agreed to terms. The Tribune reported Saturday that St. Xavier’s Jimmy Coy will be the quarterback for the minicamp and will participate on a tryout basis. It’s not believed another quarterback will be added to the mix. That could change.

The team has had modest success in recent years with undrafted free agents. James Brown started the final three games at guard last season and wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher had brief success in 2011. Safety Anthony Walters has been a regular contributor on special teams and started the season finale last year. Wide receiver Joe Anderson has also shown promise.

One interesting player on the Bears' list is North Carolina State cornerback C.J. Wilson. He was timed twice at 4.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash at his pro day. A three-year starter, Wilson also had a 37-inch vertical jump and did 17 reps on the bench press at 225 pounds. The Bears did not draft a cornerback and are in need of young help at the position.

Here is an unofficial list of the Bears' likely undrafted free-agent targets: